JPH01134406A - Optical fiber connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate attaching and detaching of a connector to and from an apparatus and to enable sure holding by inserting the inside insertion parts of inner sleeves of right and left ferrules, both front end faces of which are formed flush, into an outer sleeve having projecting parts at both end faces from both ends and butting both insertion end faces against each other. CONSTITUTION:One optical fiber 1 is inserted and fixed into the ferrule 2. The front end face 2g of the connector body A and the front end face 2f of the insertion part 2a in the inner sleeve on the ferrule 2 are positioned flush with each other. The insertion parts 2a, 12a in the inner sleeves of the right and left ferrules 2, 12 mounted with the optical fibers 1, 11 are inserted and fixed into the inner sleeve fitted into the outer sleeve 4 from both ends thereof and the two insertion end faces 2f, 12f are butted against each other, by which the right and left optical fibers 1, 11 are connected. The optical fibers are thereby easily attached and detached and are securely mounted. Weakening of the elastic force of supporting means is prevented even after long-period use and the defective disconnection by twisting of the optical fibers inserted and fixed into the right and left ferrules by electrical driving is prevented. The easy registration of the right and left ferrules is assured.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION ``Object of the Invention'' Industrial Field of Application The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector used for connecting optical fibers in a narrow space such as a connection center or a device. Something about connectors! be.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventionally, in order to connect electrical circuits without being affected by electromagnetic waves (noise), it is required to shorten the electrical circuit length as much as possible. However, the shorter the length of the electric circuit, the more time it takes to form the circuit, which inevitably leads to higher costs.

Optical transmission supports high speed and high density! It has already been mentioned that conventional optical fiber connectors have the advantage of not being affected by electromagnetic waves (noise), but due to their structural problems, they are large and difficult to install. It had the disadvantage that it was time-consuming. Especially multi-core 7 Aino 9
When connecting cables using conventional optical fiber connectors, on-site construction work, connection work, and line switching are time-consuming, so it is difficult to permanently connect cables in narrow spaces such as within the connection plane. It is necessary to make a fixed connection, and it is either impossible to attach or detach during replacement, or it takes a lot of work and time, and the work efficiency is extremely poor.

For these reasons, optical fibers have not been used in signal transmission lines on electrical wiring boards and in equipment.

The present applicant filed a patent application No. 2ADb17 in 1986 for an improved optical fiber connector that eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks. The structure of the invention according to the above application is as shown in FIG. 12, in which an optical fiber (1) aD is inserted and fixed into a ferrule (2) α, and the left and right ferrules have both end surfaces (2f) and (12f) flush with each other. (Insertion into the inner sleeve of 2 types)
1s (2a) (12t), outer sleeve (4
), the left and right optical fibers (1) 1υ are connected by inserting them from both ends of the inner sleeve (3), which is irremovably attached to the inner sleeve (3), and abutting both insertion end surfaces (2f) (12f). Each ferrule +21ri2j K is
Projecting outward from the inner sleeve insertion portions (2a) (12a) and large diameter cap portions (20) (120) that are continuous with the insertion portion and fit into both end openings of the outer sleeve (4). a connector body (A) formed with a small diameter protrusion (21) (12i); and a cap portion (20) (120) of the ferrule (2) of the connector body;
) inwardly presses the outer surface of the protrusion (21) (1
2i) and a support tool (B) provided with a pair of support parts having an arcuate recess for detachably supporting the optical fiber connector.

However, even with the invention of the above application, if the cap part (2o) of Ferrule 121Q3 is used for a long period of time on electrical wiring boards and signal transmission lines in equipment.
(12o) The left and right ferrules (2) (1
2 rotates, the optical fiber (1) aD inserted and fixed in the ferrule (2) a is twisted at the same time, causing a displacement between the optical fibers due to the torsion, and the two-way end face (2f) (
There are cases where the contact of the optical fiber (1) aD of the end face (2f) (t2r) becomes poor and transmission/reception becomes impossible, and the deviation due to twisting is corrected and the optical fiber of the end face (2f) (t2r), that is, the left and right optical fiber (1) ) am) In order to make good contact, you have no choice but to rely on your intuition.
It was very difficult to align the 0 position.

Problems that the Invention Attempts to Solve The present invention is smaller and lighter than conventional fiber connectors.
1%, the optical fiber connector can be easily attached and detached even in narrow spaces such as within the connection plane or inside equipment, and the installation is strong. 1 Even after long-term use, the elastic force of the support is weakened. The present invention aims to provide an optical fiber; a connector in which the left and right ferrules can be easily aligned by rotating the left and right ferrules electrically to prevent connection failures due to twisting of the original fibers pushed and fixed into the left and right ferrules. It is something.

"Structure of the Invention" Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an inner sleeve of the left and right ferrules in which the optical fin 9 is inserted and fixed into the ferrule, and both end surfaces are formed flush with each other. By inserting the inner insertion part from both ends of the inner sleeve, which is irremovably attached to the outer sleeve having protrusions on both end faces, and abutting both insertion end faces, the left and right source fibers are connected, and the respective fibers are connected. The ferrule includes the inner sleeve insertion portion, a large-diameter cap portion that is continuous with the push-in portion and fits into both end openings of the outer sleeve, and a small-diameter protrusion portion that protrudes outward from the cap portion. a connector body formed by forming a connector body;
In an original fiber connector comprising a support member provided with a pair of support parts, a protrusion fits on one of the cap part of the ferrule and an outer end surface of the outer sleeve, and the protrusion fits on the other. The optical fiber connector is characterized in that a through hole is formed in the bottom plate of the support, which is bent upward, and an arcuate recess is provided in each of the pair of support parts. There is one.

Embodiment The structure of the present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to M9.

The above drawing Kofu-+A) shows the connector main body. The connector body (A) has the following structure.

That is, as shown in Figure @9, one optical fiber 111 is inserted and fixed into the ferrule (2), and the tip end face (2g) of the main connector) and the tip of the inner sleeve insertion part (2a) of the ferrule (2) are inserted and fixed. Make it flush with surface (2f). As an example of the fixing means, the optical fiber (1) may be fixed with a ferrule (
The optical fiber (1) may be press-fitted into the ferrule (2) and fixed therein.The optical fiber (1) may be inserted into the ferrule (2) and fixed by adhesive. The other optical fiber ti is also fixed to the ferrule αa in the same manner as described above. The fixing means is also similar to the above.

As mentioned above, the left and right ferrules +2)aa to which the optical fibers (1)aυ are respectively attached are the inner sleeve insertion part (
2&) (12a) and the insertion portion (2a) (121
A fitting part (2b) formed on the outside of
) (121)).
2a) Cap part (2a) with a larger diameter than (12a)
(12a) and the cap portion (20) (120
) that protrudes outward from the center of each protrusion (2 (1)
(lfi) is formed. The cap portion (20)
(120) has two recessed notches [3a41
, (13a) (14&), or 11! as shown in Figure 4. A recessed notch αe or three or more recessed notches (not shown) are formed. Left and right ferrules (2) t
Each optical fiber insertion hole (2e) (12e) of lz
are from the tip of the protruding portion (2d) (131) to the tip surface (2f) of the inner sleeve insertion portion (2L) (12a), respectively.
It is connected to (lgo).

The inner sleeve insertion portion (2a) (12!L) of the left and right ferrules (2) fitted with the optical fibers (1) αυ, configured as described above, is inserted into the outer sleeve (4).
) is inserted and fixed from both ends of the inner sleeve (3) fitted into the inner sleeve (3), and the left and right optical fibers (1) (lυ are connected by butting both insertion end surfaces (2f) (12f). ) is supported within the outer sleeve (4).

The outer sleeve 14) has left and right parts <4 &) (41))
The left portion (4a) and the right portion (4b) are connected by bonding, explosion welding, screwing, or other connection using a connecting nut to form an outer sleeve (4).

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, on the outer end surfaces of the left and right portions of the outer sleeve 14), the recessed notch openings 3Q4) provided in the cap portion (2a) (120) of the ferrule (2103) are provided. 1311L) (141!L)
Or a protrusion 0aη or Q that fits into the recessed notch at a position corresponding to the recessed notch opening or three or more recessed notches.
1 or three or more protrusions are formed. In addition, as shown in Figure 9, seven flange (5) (1! - Li, above 7 lunges (5) aa
A fitting portion (6) of the inner sleeve (3) is formed therebetween.

With the book sleeve (4) separated into left and right parts, the finner sleeve (3) is separated into the left and right parts of the outer sleeve (4).
4a) (4t)) The left and right portions of the outer sleeve fitted between the fitting portions (6) between the flanks <5) 69 are connected by the above means, and the reiner sleeve (3) is connected inside the outer sleeve (4). irrevocably support.

In the above state, insert the left and right ferrules (21 (1B) from both ends of the inner sleeve (3),
3) Insert the left and right ferrules (2) fins into the inner sleeve IB (2'') (12&) and fix them together.

As the fixing means, press-fitting, adhesive bonding, or the like is used. When my father fixed the alignment, left and right ferrules 1211
The fitting part (20) (120) of (a)
21)) (121)) are fitted into the openings (40) (41)) at both ends of the outer sleeve (4). In addition, the recessed notch α3 (14, (13a) (1) shown in FIG.
4a) and the outer sleeve shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (by fitting aη and αDa1 with the protrusion Q of 4, or fitting the outer sleeve shown in FIG. 6 with the recessed notch shown in FIG. Sleeve (4
) so that the ferrule (2) 0 is non-rotatably attached to the outer sleeve (4).

@ Figures 7 and 8 show other embodiments of the present invention. In Figure 7, protrusions a9 that protrude inward are provided at two locations on the outer periphery of the cap portion (20 x 120). The outer end surface of the sleeve is provided with a recessed notch (191L) into which the protrusion al fits into a position corresponding to the protrusion 0 provided on the cap part (20) (12) of the ferrule (21 (13)).
are installed in two locations. Figure 8 shows the cap part (
2G) (1 addition) The protrusion αe that protrudes inward on the outer periphery is X
The figure shows a case in which a recessed notch (19a) into which the protrusion fits is provided at one location on the outer end surface of the outer sleeve at a position corresponding to the protrusion a9 of the cap part. . (7) (7) is nosetting.

The connector main body IE (A) configured as described above is detachably supported by the support (B) at its small diameter protrusion (2 (L) (121). ) is a steel plate e hard synthetic resin, and an elastic plate is used to connect the cap part of the connector body (g)<20) (120)
The protrusion (2) of the connector main body is provided with a bottom plate r2rJ which has a horizontally elongated through hole (to) that is slightly longer than the distance between the outer surfaces of the connector and which is bent inward. 1) Construct opposing pressure support parts @- that support (1m). The above-mentioned pressure support parts @ (to) are provided with grooves in the vertical direction, respectively, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b. Accordingly, the bifurcated piece (22a) (221)).

(Form (23b) and the forked piece (22t)
))1(23a) On the inner edge of (23b), the protrusion @(
2 (1) (1m) to form an arcuate recess (25a) (m) to strengthen and maintain the elastic force while forming an arcuate recess (25a) (25a) to (m) that can fit and support the is connected by Warimizo (goods). Moreover, the forked piece (22
a) (221)) and (231L) (23b) are
Cap 11 (2C) of the aforementioned connector body (5) (
The cap portion (20) presses against the outer surface of the cap portion (20).
It is bent in a dog-like shape toward the outer surface of the cap part (2Q) (120), and the outer surface of the cap part (2Q) (120) can be clamped by the dog-shaped bent part @ (toward). The container has screw holes.

FIG. 2b is a developed view of the support, in which the concave bending line O
Bend upward from around 1 (to).

The first cause is to connect the multi-core optical fiber cable 01) to the connection surface (
2) Figure 2 shows the case where the optical fiber connector of the present invention is used to connect the optical fiber +1) aυ on the electrical circuit board (to). In each usage example, the support (B) is fixed within the connection surface (2) or on the electric circuit board (toward) by screws or other means, and the support (B) is fixed to the connector body (A) The small-diameter protrusion (2d) (121) is attached to each of the forked pieces (n) of the elastic support part of the support (B).
22b) and (n) (23b) are supported in the circular arc-shaped recesses (c) (to), and the outer surfaces of the middle beveled portions (2c) (120) are compressed by the 〈-shaped bent portions (2) (to). In addition, in order to remove the connector body (5) from the support (B), at the same time as turning the dog-shaped bent part @@f, a protrusion is formed on the cap part and the support attached to the equipment side in the narrow part is removed. Since the outer surface of the cap portion of the ferrule is pressed inward and the protruding portion is provided with a pair of support portions that are detachable, attachment to and detachment from equipment at special parts of the connector body is easy and quick. This has the effect that the connector main body is reliably held against the support and therefore against the equipment due to the elastic pressure.

In addition, if a protruding part or a recessed notch is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the cap part or the outer end face of the outer sleeve, the protruding part or the recessed notch part is press-fitted, respectively.
, the optical 7-eye/ζ connector of the present invention can be used for long-term electrical wiring.
Since the ferrule does not rotate even when used on an I board, connection failure due to twisting of the optical fiber does not occur, and the positioning of the optical fiber I9 inserted and fixed in the ferrule becomes easy. Historically, the support has an arc-shaped recess to strengthen and maintain the elastic pressure, and a through hole is formed in the bottom plate of the support, which is bent upward, so the elastic force does not weaken even after long-term use. This has the effect of preventing poor connection of optical fibers.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show embodiments and usage examples of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a front view, M2L drawing is an @ side view, Fig. 2b is a developed view of the support, and Figs. 3 and 4 are An enlarged perspective view of the ferrule, Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of the outer sleeve, @7
8 and 8 are partially cutaway drawings of the connector body, FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view, and FIG. 10 is a view of the optical fiber connector of the present invention in the connecting plane! Fig. 11 is a front view showing an example of connecting the original fiber connector of the present invention to an electric circuit board, and Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of its use.
September road date! 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an optical fiber connector for which a patent has been applied. (1) aυ...optical fiber? , (21aa...ferrule, (8)...inus IJ-f, (26) (
13)...Insertion part of ferrule into inner sleeve<
(2-b:) (121)) ... fitting part, (20) (1
Add)...Cap part, (2(L) (12d)...
Small diameter protrusion, a3 Q3a), all (is)
, ae--recessed notch M, fin a8... outer sleeve protrusion, shank... cap protrusion, (19a)...
・Outer sleeve recessed notch, (to) 4...Support bird provided on the support tool Fig. 3 Fig. 6 Fig. 9 Fig. 10

Claims (1)

[Claims] An optical fiber is inserted and fixed into the ferrule, and the inner sleeve insertion portions of the left and right ferrules, which have both end surfaces flush with each other, are inserted from both ends of the inner sleeve that is permanently attached to the outer sleeve. The left and right optical fibers are connected by abutting their insertion end surfaces, and each ferrule has an insertion portion in the inner sleeve and a large diameter that is continuous with the insertion portion and fits into openings at both ends of the outer sleeve. a connector body formed of a cap portion and a small-diameter protrusion protruding outward from the cap portion; an optical fiber connector comprising a support provided with a pair of support parts that are removably supported, a protrusion on either one of the cap part of the ferrule and an outer end surface of the outer sleeve, and the protrusion on the other. An optical fiber connector characterized in that a recessed notch is fitted into the support, a through hole is formed in the bottom plate of the support and is bent upward, and an arcuate recess is provided in each of the pair of support parts.